Fuse switch



Dec. 20, 1938. o. FROLAND 2,140,906

FUSE SWITCH Filed Aug. l0, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 20, 1938. o. FROLAND 2,140,906

FUSE SWITCH Filed Aug. l0, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A fr0/@wf Y Dec. 20, 1938. o. FROLAND 2,140,906

FUSE SWITCH Filed Aug. l0, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A rroe N5 Y Dec. 20, 1938. o. FROLAND 2,140,905

FUSE SWITCH Filed Aug. l0, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wwf/vra@ f @LAV Fem/1Mo Patented Dec. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES FUSE SWITCH omv nonna, st. Louis, Mo., mmm u Jam B. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application August 10, 1936, Serial No. 95,156

20 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical i'use switches of the re-closing type adapted for use in protecting high voltage lines and equipment associated therewith, and more specically to a structure of this type which includes a multiplicity of fuse cartridges adapted for automatic movement sequentially into operative positions in an electric circuit, as previously operatively positioned fuse cartridges of the group of iuse cartridges are rendered inoperative by short circuit or overload, the predominant object of the invention being to provide an apparatus of this type which is extremely simple in construction and operation, and, because of its improved arrangement, is capable of performing its intended function in an improved manner and with a high degree of efficiency.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved fuse switch, a crossarm which supports the fuse switch being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the improved fuse switch showing one fuse cartridge inthe fusing or service position, another fuse cartridge in the reserve position, and the third fuse cartridge in the blown or tripped out position.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the fuse switch as illustrated in Fig. 1, but with the crossarm and hanger omitted.

Fig. i is a sectional View of the lower portion of the switch on line 4 4 of Fig. 2, showing one of the units of the improved switch structure as the mechanism thereof appears when the associated fuse cartridge is in the blown or tripped out position, a portion of the fuse cartridge being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig, 2, showing one of the units of the improved switch structure as the mechanism thereof appears when the associated fuse cartridge is in the fusing or service position, portions of the insulator and the cartridge tube being broken away.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the lower portion oi the switch on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing one of .17, the units of the improved switch structure as the mechanism thereof appears when the associated fuse cartridge is in the reserve position, a portion of the fuse cartridge being broken away.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1 1 of Fig. 1, looking 50' in the direction indicated by the arrows.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates the improved switch structure generally. The improved structure includes a suitable insulator I, about which a band (Cl. 20o-126) 2 is arranged, said band being retained in clamped relation about the insulator by a bolt 3. 'I'he band 2 is secured also to a supporting bracket 4 through the instrumentality oi a bolt 5, said supporting bracket comprising a pair of clamping elements which are secured together by bolts 6 in embracing relation about a crossarm C.

Arranged at the top of the insulator I is a hood 'I which houses the upper contacts of the improved switch structure. 'I'his hood 1 includes a rear lug 8 which is provided with an arcuate face 8' (Fig. 7) that contacts with the curved surface of the insulator. The hood 1 is closed by walls at its top, opposite sides, and at its rear end, said hood being open at its bottom and for ward end as shown to best advantage in Fig. 5, and the hood is fixed to the insulator I by a bolt 9 which passes through an opening formed through the lug 8 and through an aperture formed through the wall of the insulator into the hollow interior of the insulator where said bolt is provided with a nut i0. The intermediate portion l of the hood which is located imme diately in advance of the lug 8 is Wider than said lug, as shown in Fig. '7, and the forward portion 'Ib of said hood, which is located in advance oi said intermediate portion, is considerably wider than the intermediate portion.

Supported in apertures formed in the opposed side walls of the intermediate hood portion l, and in bosses formed on said side walls, is a shaft ii which extends transversely of said. hood portion, said shaft being maintained in its proper longitudinal position by cotter pins II' which contact with the outer faces of said side Walls of said intermediate hood portion la. The shaft II supports a member I2, which is angular in cross-section as shown in Fig. 5, and extends transversely of the forward portion 'lb of the hood l as shown in Fig. '7. The member I2 is provided with rearwardly projected extensions i3 having apertures which are alined with the apertures in the side walls of the intermediate hood portion, and the shaft II passes through the apertures of the extensions so as to pivotaily support the member I2. Arranged about the shaft Il is a torsional coil spring I4, one end of which contacts with a downwardly extended element I5 formed on the top wall of the intermediate portion la of the hood 1, and the other end of this torsional coil spring contacts with a portion of the member I2. The torsional coil spring I4 tends to move the member I2 in a downward direction with respect to the forward portion 1b of the hood l, and in order to limit such downward movement of said member I2 a forwardly projected extension I8 is formed on said member I2 in which an opening IB is formed, through which a pin I1 is extended. The pin I1 is screwthreaded at its upper end, and said upper end is scrow-threadedly seated in a screw-threaded cavity formed in a protuberance I1 formed on the lower face of the top wall of the forward portion 1b of the hood 1. Also, the lower portion of the pin I1 is screw-threaded and supports a nut I3 that acts as an abutment or stop to limit down--` ward movement of the extension I6 and consequently of the member I2 which carries said extension.

As will presently appear, the improved switch structure disclosed herein is comprised of three units, each of which includes an upper contact.

` The three upper contacts of the structure are designated by the reference character I3 and are supported by the member I2, each of said contacts being of elongated, U-shaped formation and being provided with divergent outer end portions, as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 7. In order to properly locate the upper contacts with respect to the member I2, said member is provided with cavities I2 in which the rear end portions of the contacts are seated. Also, clips 20 are employed which underlie and contact with the rear end portions of the upper contacts, and bolts 2I having nuts 2| associated therewith are extended through alined openings formed in the clips and the member I2 and between the spaced legs of the contacts. Thus the upper contacts are very securely attached to the member I2 and move therewith when pivotal movement is imparted to said member about the shaft II.

Extended upwardly from the hood 1 is the upper terminal 22 of the switch structure, to which is attached a section P of a power line with which the switch structure is associated, a suitable electrical connector 23 being employed for providing the required connection between the terminal and the section of the power line. In order to provide for adequate transmission of energy from the terminal 22 to the member I2, a flexible conductor in strip form is secured to an extension 24 formed on the top wall of the hood 1 and extended downwardly therefrom. The conductor 25 is secured to the extension 24 by a pair of fastening devices 2G, and the opposite end portion of the conductor is attached to the member I2 through the instrumentality of rivets 21 and a clamping plate 23. By this arrangement electrical energy passes from the terminal 22 by way of a portion of the hood 1 to the extension 24, and from said extension direct to the member I2 by way of the flexible conductor 25, which, because of its flexible nature, does not interfere with pivotal movement of said member I2.

Secured to the insulator I at its lower end is a housing 30, which extends transversely of the switch structure. The housing includes a rearwardly extended lug 3| which is provided with an arcuate rear face that contacts with the curved surface of the insulator I, and said housing is attached to the insulator by a bolt 32 extended through openings formed in the lug and the wall of the insulator into the hollow interior of the insulator, where said bolt is provided with a nut (not shown). In order to provide the lug with the required strength, ribs 33 are associated therewith. The housing 30 is provided with a solid top wall provided with an 0H- set 34, opposed side walls, and a relatively short rear wall. Also, the forward portion of the top wall of the housing inclines forwardly anddownwardly. The housing is provided with a terminal 22 which receives a section P of the power line with which the switch structure is associated.

Supported in apertures formed in the opposed side walls of the housing 30 is a shaft 36 which extends longitudinally of said housing. The improved switch structure illustrated is made up of three units, each of which is comprised of an upper contact (one of the upper contacts I9), a cartridge, and means for supporting the cartridge and for causing same to move into and out of the fusing or service position under certain circumstances. The housing 30 encloses the units of mechanism for supporting and operating the cartridges, and each of these units includes a carriage 31 which is supported by the shaft 35 for rotary movement independent with respect thereto. Each carriage comprises spaced apart side portions 31* which are joined by an intermediate hub portion 31h having an opening extended therethrough, through which the shaft 35 extends, In side elevation each carriage is shaped as shown to the best advantage in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and the side portions are provided with alined slots 3B which are open at one end and receive portions of the associated cartridge as will be hereinafter described. Also, the forward edge portions of the side portions of each carriage 31 are curved longitudinally and are turned outwardly', as shown most clearly at 31c in Fig. 3. At the inner faces of the spaced side portions of each carriage angular abutments or shoulders 39 are provided which receive in contact therewith portions of the associated cartridge, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Secured to the upper portion of one side portion of each carriage is a coil spring 40, which is anchored at its opposite end to the rear wall of the housing 3U through the instrumentality of a screw-threaded pin 4I that passes through an opening formed through said rear Wall and has a nut 4I mounted thereon which contacts with the outer face of said rear wall. The forward end of each pin 4I is flattened and apertured to receive a hooked end of the coil spring, and the opposite end of the coil spring is likewise hooked and is received between spaced ears 42 on the carriage and is engaged by a pin extended between said spaced ears. The coil springs tend to draw the upper portions of the associated carriages rearwardly, and to limit such movement of said carriages the side portions of the carriages are provided at their outer faces with lugs 43 (Fig. 2) which moves into contact with portions 44 of the housing to arrest rearward movement of the upper portions of the carriages in response to force exerted by the coil springs.

Each carriage has pivotally attached to its side portion opposed to the side portion at which the associated coil spring 40 is connected an arm 45, the carriage being provided with spaced ears between which an end of the arm is disposed, and a pin 45 being extended through alined apertures formed through said ears and said arm to provide for pivotal attachment of said elements. Also, each unit of the improved switch structure includes a cooking lever 41, all of the cooking levers of the units being supported for pivotal movement by a shaft 48 that extends longitudinally of the housing 30 and is supported at its opposite ends in apertures formed in the opposed side walls of said housing. Each cockaudace ing lever is provided with a hook-like rear end 41', so that said lever may be engaged by a switch stick or other suitable device for drawing the rear end thereof downwardly, and also each cooking lever at a point adjacent to its rear end and at its lower edge is provided with a protuberance 41 which provides an abutment Meinst which a switch stick or other suitable tool may be moved for forcing the rear end portion of the cooking lever upwardly. Furthermore each cooking lever 41 is provided with an extension 49 which contacts with the face 55 of the top wall of the housing 50, so as to limit upward movement of the rear portion of the cooking lever, and each cooking lever is provided with a laterally projected, arcuate extension 5i which serves a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

Mounted for rotary movement on the shaft 48 are arms 52, there being one of these arms for each unit of the improved structure. The arm 52 of each unit is pivotally attached by a pivot pin 53 to the arm 45 of that unit, and the arm 52 of each unit is provided with a laterally projected extension 54 which is in contact with a face 55 of the associated cooking lever. As will presently appear herein in more detail, downward movement of the rear end of a cooking lever 41 to the cocked position shown in Fig. 6 will cause the associated arm 52 to be swung forwardly about the shaft 48 to the position in which said arm 52 is shown in Fig. 6. Such movement of the arm 52, which results from contact of the face 55 of the cooking lever and the extension 54 on the arm 52, transmits forward movement to the upper portion of the associated carriage 31 through the arm 45, and at the same time such forward movement of the arm 52 raises the rear portion of the arm 45 to the approximately horizontal position in which it is shown in Fig. 6. This forward movement of the carriage stretches and tensions the coil spring 40 so that said coil spring tends to restore the upper portion of the carriage to its rearward position, in which it is illustrated in Fig. 5. The improved switch structure includes means for holding the rear portions of the arms 45 in their elevated positions so as to lock the carriages in the cocked position, and this means will be presently described herein.

Each unit of the improved switch structure includes a supporting structure of inverted U- shaped formation, said structure comprising a pair of spaced apart, downwardly extended plates 56 and a bridge portion 51 joining the upper ends of said plates. The supporting structures are secured to the under side of the top wall of the housing 30 by suitable fastening devices, and the spaced plates 56 of each supporting structure are provided with forwardly projected extensions 58 at their lower ends. ylhe supporting structure of each unit of the improved switch structure comprises a substantially cl-shaped element 59, which. includes a hub portion through which is extended a pin Sii, said pin being supported at its opposite ends in apertures formed in the extensions 58 of the spaced plates of the supporting structure. At one side of each element 59 an upwardly extended arm 6I is provided which in the cases of the two upper units illustrated in Fig. 8 supports a roller 'Gland at the opposite side of the element 59 of -each unit an upwardly extended arm G3 is pros vided which includes at its upper end a forwardly extended portion 64. Each element 59 has associated with it a torsional coil spring 65 which surrounds a portion of the hub portion of said element, one end portion of said coil spring being arranged in engagement with the element 50 and the other end of the coil spring being arranged in engagement with the supporting structure, so that said coil spring tends to move the upper portion of the element 59 forwardly.

It is to be noted that the element 59 of an end unit of the improved switch structure winch, as illustrated in Fig. 3, is located at the bottom of the view. does not have a roller mounted on the arm 5| thereof as is true of the elements 59 of the other two units. Instead the arm 53 of this end unit is plvotally attached through the instrumentality of a slot and pin connection 66 to an arm 51 which is flxedly mounted on a shaft 58 that extends longitudinally of the housing 3l) and is supported for rotation at its opposite ends in apertures formed in the opposed side wallsof the housing 30. Fixed to the shaft 58 adjacent to its opposite end is a downwardly extended member 69 which includes spaced leg portions between which is mounted on a pin extended between said leg portions a roller 62' which serves a function similar to that performed by the rollers 62.

Each unit of the improved switch structure includes a tripping member 10 which at its rear end is provided with a hub portion 1|. The hub portion of each tripping member is located between the spaced plates 56 of the associated supporting structure, and a pivot pin 1| is extended through alined openings formed through said spaced plates and said hub portion so as to pivotally support the tripping member. Each tripping member includes a forwardly extended arm 12 which is turned back upon itself at its forward end to provide a rearwardly extended arm portion 13 that is arranged in spaced relation with respect to the forward portion of the arm 12, as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 3. Mounted at the forward end of each tripping member 1U between the arm 13 and the forward portion of the arm 'l2 is a pawl 14. This pawl is mounted on a pin 15 that extends between the arm 13 and the forward portion oi the arm 12, and said pawl has associated with it a torsional coil spring 16 which tends to move the upper or nose end of the pawl rearwardly. Each pawl 14 is provided with an extension 11 (Fig. 5) which is adapted to contact with the iorward bridge end of the tripping member so as to limit rearward movement of the upper nose end of the pawl. It is to be noted that the tripping member of each unit of the improved switch structure is so located that the space between the arms 12 and '13 is alined vertically with the forwardly extended arm portion 64 of the associated element 59, so that, as will presently appear herein, the pawl 14 may engage said arm portion 64 so as to transmit motion under certain circumstances from the tripping member to the element 59. In order to limit downward movement of the tripping members 12 under force of gravity, each supporting structure is provided with a suitable abutment 18 with which the associated tripping member contacts.

Each tripping member includes a portion 19 which extends laterally from the arm 72 thereof, and this portion 19 has formed thereon a forwardly and downwardly projected extension 80. The extension 80 of each tripping member is adapted to be engaged by a cam face 8| of a portion 8| formed on the associated carriage 31, so that under certain circumstances movement may be transmitted from the carriage to the tripping member.

The fuse cartridges of the improved switch structure, one of which forms a part of each unit of the structure, are of the expulsion type, and each thereofv includes an open end tube 82 formed of insulating material. Although the precise construction of the tubes 82 of the cartridges is not important in so far as this invention is concerned, they are preferably of composite construction, embodying an inner, tubular portion of horn fibre and an outer, tubular jacketing portion of Bakelite or other insulating material having equivalent weather-resisting properties. Fixed to the upper end portion of the tube 82 of each cartridge ls a cap 88 which serves as a terminal member, and extended from this cap is a finger 84 which is adapted to move into the passageway between the spaced, parallel, forwardly extended portions of the associated upper contact i9 during switch-closing movement of the carriage. The tube of each of the cartridges of the switch structure is closed at its top by a head element in the form of an externally convex disk 85, and due to its convexity the disk will center itself relative to the resilient, parallel portions of the associated upper contact I9 so as to distribute the pressure exerted against the cartridge by the upper contact. A fuse link 86 is suitably connected to the disk and passes downwardly through the tube 82, and the downward pressure exerted by the resilient upper contact I9 against the upper end of the cartridge tends to move the cartridge axially downwardly, which, because of parts to be hereinafter described, results in tensioning of the fuse link.

At its lower end each fuse cartridge is provided with means for eiecting its pivotal and detachable connection with the associated carriage 31. Such means includes a hinge member 81 which is provided with trunnions 88 that are extended outwardly in opposite directions and are seated in the slots 38 formed in the opposed side portions of the associated carriage. The tube 82 of each cartridge has iixedly mounted thereon adjacent to its lower end a bracket member 89 which is provided with an upper extension 90, and the hinge member 81 is pivotally attached to said bracket member at the outer end of the upper extension 90 through the instrumentality of a pivot pin 9|. The hinge member includes spaced apart side elements 81', and the extension 90 of the bracket member 89 is disposed between these side elements with the pivot element 9| passing through apertures formed through the spaced side elements and through an aperture formed through the outer end of the extension, which extension is of such width that it contacts with the inner faces of the opposed side elements of the hinge member.

At its lower end the hinge member of each unit is provided with a transversely extended portion 92 which integrally connects the opposed side elements of the hinge membeigiand said portion 92 is provided with a screw-threaded opening formed therein that receives a bolt 93 provided with a winged head 93. Each hinge member is provided with an extension 94 which at 94 contacts with the lower end of the associated tube 82 at one side thereof when the fuse cartridge is in the fused condition, and also at the same side of the hinge member an outwardly extended nub 95 is provided. When a fuse cartridge is fused and ready for use in the improved switch structure, the lower end of the fuse link 86 extends from the open, lower end of the tube of the cartridge and is passed under the extension 94 and is turned about the bolt 93, which is unscrewed to receive the end portion of the link in embracing relation therewith. The bolt 88 has a washer Il associated therewith, and the bolt-embracing portion of the fuse link is interposed and clamped between this washer and the adjacent side tace or the hinge member so as to provide secure mechanical and efficient electrical connection between the fuse link and the parts to which it is attached. The nub l! serves to retain the boltembracing portion oi the fuse link in position about the bolt 98 while said bolt is being screwed into the fuse link clamping position.

The bracket member 89 of each cartridge is provided with an extension 91 which passes between the spaced side elements of the associated hinge member 81. When a fuse cartridge is in the circuit-closing position as shown in Fig. 5, or in the reserve position as shown in Fig. 8, the outwardly extended elements 81 at opposite sides oi the outer end of the extension 91 are seated against the angular abutments 88 formed on the opposed side portions of the associated carriage 31. However, when a cartridge drops to the blown position the elements 81 at the end of the extension 91 are disengaged from the angular abutments and said extension 81 moves to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4, and when it is desired to disengage a cartridge from its associated carriage for re-fusing the carriage is drawn to the cocked position, after which the hook-shaped portion 98 of the hinge member may be engaged by a switch stick or other suitable tool and the cartridge lifted, so as to free the trunnions 88 from the slots 38 of the carriage. During such disengagement of the cartridge from the carriage, the outwardly extended elements 91' at opposite sides of the extension 91 pass through depressions 99 formed in the inner faces of the side portions of the carriage.

For convenience in describing the operation of the improved switch structure, the three fusing units will be given separate reference characters; that is to say, reading from left to right in Fig. 2 and from top to bottom in Fig. 3, these units are designated, respectively, by the reference characters X, Y, and Z. With this in mind, it will be assumed that the cartridge of the unit X has just dropped out of the circuit and that the cartridge of the unit Y has replaced the cartridge of said unit X in the circuit, while the cartridge of the unit Z is in the reserve position. At this point it is important to understand that the roller 62 of unit X is in vertical alinement with respect to the arm 45 of unit Y, while the roller 62 of unit Y is in vertical alinement with respect to the arm 45 of unit Z. In like manner roller 62', which is the roller of unit Z although it is 1ocated at the opposite side of the structure, is in vertical alinement with respect to the arm 45 of unit X. Attention is directed to Fig. 3, which illustrates this arrangement of the rollers 82 and 82.

Referring now to Fig. 5, which shows unit Y in the fusing or service position, it is seen that the arm 45 of this unit is freed from the roller 92 of unit X, and that said arm extends rearwardly and downwardly from its point of attachment to the carriage 81. This view also shows the coil spring 40 of unit Y in a contracted condition, as it has already drawn the cartridge of said unit Y into the fusing position.

Considering now Fig. 6 which shows unit Z in the reserve position, it is noted that roller 82 of unit Y underlies the rear portion oi' the arm 45 of said unit Z and holds said rear portion of the arm in a substantially horizontal position,

the curved face 5|' of theV arcuate extension 5I on the cooking lever co-acting with the lower face of the rear portion of the arm 45 to provide a pocket that receives the roller 52 of the unit Y. The cartridge-operating mechanism of unit Z is in the cocked condition, whichmeans that the rear end portion of the cooking lever has been drawn downwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, and the arm 52, which moves with the cooking lever, has moved forwardly so as to move the upper portion of the associated carriage 31 forwardly from the position in which said carriage is shown in Fig. 4 to the reserve position of the carriage in Fig. 6, resulting in stretching or tensioning the coilspring 40. Movement of the arm 52 to the position shown in Fig. 6 also raised the rear portion of the arm 45, so that said arm is in an approximately horizontal position, and when said arm 45 moved from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 6 it moved in camming contact with the roller 62 of unit Y, thereby moving said roller rearwardly against the action of the associated torsional coil spring 65 until the arm passed the roller, after which the arm 49 assumed a position above and in contact with g said roller 52 of unit Y, as shown in Fig. 6. Re`

ferring to unit Y shown in the fusing position in Fig. 5, it is to be noted that the nose of the pawl 14 of the tripping member 10 underlies and contacts with the forwardly extended arm portion 64 of the element 59, which element also supports the roller 62 which 'underlies the arm 45 of the cocked cartridge-moving mechanism oi' unit Z.

Assume now that the fuse link 86 of the cartridge of unitY, which is in service, is ruptured due to a fault in the line. 'I'he ruptured fuse link will permit the hinge member 81 at the lower end of the cartridge of said unit to swing about its pivot 88, which results in downward movement of the fuse cartridge longitudinally of its major axis, whereby the finger 84 will be freed from the upper contact I9, and the elements 91' at the end of the extension 91 will be freed from the abutments 39 on the carriage. The cartridge will then rotate outwardly and downwardly about the connection between the cartridge and its carriage defined by the trunnions 88 and the slots 38, and the rear end of the extension 91 will strike the tripping member 1D and move its forward end upwardly. Such movement of the tripping member will transmit upward and rearward pivotal movement to the element 59 through the pawl 14, and as a result of such movement of the element 59 against the action of its associated torsional coil spring 65 the roller 62 of said element 59 will be moved rearwardly from beneath the arm 45 of unit Z, thus freeing said arm and permitting the tensioned coil spring of unit Z to snap the cartridge of unit Z into the fusing or service position.

This sequence of movement and operations is followed through in each case where a fuse cartridge in the fusing or service position drops out of the circuit because of rupturing of the fuse link and where the cartridge next in line for movement into the fusing position is cocked in the reserve position. In the case of unit Z the roller 62 thereof is located at the opposite side of the structure so that it. supports the rear end portion of the arm of unit X when the cartridge-moving mechanism is in the cocked position, and therefore when the cartridge of unit Z drops out of the fusing position because of rupturing of the fuse link, rotary movement is imparted to the shaft 68 through the arm 83 of the element 59 and the arm B1, with the result that the roller 62 will bewithdrawn from beneath the arm 45 of the cocked unit X so as to permit the coil spring 40 of said unit to draw the cartridge into the fusing position.

The face 5I' of the arcuate extension 5| of each cooking lever serves to limit forward movement of the roller 62 or the roller 82' which contacts therewith in response to force'exerted by the torsional coil spring 65 associated with the element 59 which supports said roller, and also. as already explained, portions of the curved faces of said arcuate extensions co-act with the rear portions of the arms 45 to provide pockets for the rollers when the mechanisms are in the cocked position. Also, the faces 8|' of the carriages act as cams which move against the outer ends of the extensions 80 of the tripping members to move the forward ends of said tripping members downwardly when the carriages are drawn to the cocked or reserve position.

In the 4maintenance of the improved switch structure it is necessary merely that the maintenance man, when he discovers one or more of the cartridges in the tripped out position, engage the hooked end of the cooking lever of the unit of which the tripped out cartridge forms a part with his switch and draw said cooking lever downwardly to the cocked position. He may then disengage the cartridge from the carriage and, after re-fusing it, replace the cartridge in the carriage. It is important to note that a cartridge may not be removed from its carriage or replaced in its carriage except when the carriage is in the cocked position, as it is only when the carriage is in the cocked position that the slots 38 are outside of the housing 30. Therefore, when the cartridge-moving mechanism of a unit is drawn to the cocked position so as to permit removal oi' a cartridge for refusing, the re-fused cartridge need only be replaced in its carriage, when, without additional action on the part of the maintenance man, it is in the reserve position and set for movement into the fusing position when an adjacent cartridge drops out of the fusing position, as previously described.

An important feature of the invention has to do with the arrangement for supporting the upper contacts I9 as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, because the torsional coil spring I4 exerts its force against the member -I2 which supports all of the upper contacts and the same uniform downward pressure will be exerted against the upper end of a cartridge in the fusing position, regardless of which of the cartridges is in such position. Thus the chance that more pressure would be exerted by one upper contact than another is eliminated, and uniform operation is obtained in connection with all of the cartridges.

I claim:

1. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part 0f m0171181' of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position. r

2. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge removably supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

3. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing luiits including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, supporting means including a roller for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its leverengaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

4. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movablysupported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position andthe coil spring in a tensioned condition, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

5. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage,

cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unitl one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, spring means for moving said supporting means into its effective position, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so` as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

6. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means including a roller for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, spring means for moving said supporting means into its effective position, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging positionso as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

7. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cocking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means including a roller for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the assaciated carriage in a cocked position and the dell spring in a tensioned condition, torsional speig4 means for moving said supporting means into its effective position, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

8. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each amovably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally molmted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so 75 as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, spring means for moving said supporting means into 'its effective position, and tripping means adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position, said tripping means including a pawl for engaging said supporting means.

9. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of iusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, spring means for moving said supporting means into its effective position, and tripping means adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position. said tripping means including a spring-controlled pawl for engaging said supporting means.

l0. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage. cocking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage. pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned nonditionA torsional spring means for moving said supportingr means into its effective position. and tripping means adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective leverengaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position. said tripping means including a spring-controlled pawl for engaging said supporting means.

1l. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of i'using units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled levers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, spring means for moving said supporting means into its effective position, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another oi the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position, each carriage being provided with means which engages a part of the associated tripping means for moving the tripping means to y its effective position when the carriage is drawn to the cocked position.

12. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means including a plurality of assembled lcvers associated with each fusing unit, one lever of each assembly of levers being connected to the associated carriage, pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, spring means for moving said supporting means into its effective position, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part o1' another of the fusing units during movement thereof' out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective leverengaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position, each carriage being provided with means comprising a cam face which engages a part of the associated tripping means for moving the tripping means to its effective position when the carriage is drawn to the cocked position.

13. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means forming a part of each fusing unit for drawing the associated carriage to the cocked position, said cooking means including a cooking lever mounted for rotary movement, a pivotally supported arm to which movement is imparted bv said cooking lever, and a lever connected to the associated carriage and pivotally attached to said arm, pivotally mounted supporting means for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective leverengaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position..

14. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means forming a part of each fusing unit for drawing the associated carriage to the cocked position, said cooking means including a cooking lever mounted for rotary movement, a pivotally supported arm to which movement is imparted by said cooking lever, and a lever connected to the associated carriage and pivotally attached to said arm, pivotally mounted supporting means including a roller for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so as to per.

mit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

15. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units including each a movably supported carriage and a fuse cartridge supported thereby, a coil spring connected to the carriage of each fusing unit and adapted to move said carriage, cooking means forming a part of each fusing unit for drawing the associated carriage to the cocked position, said cooking means including a cocking lever mounted for rotary movement, a pivotally supported arm to which movement is imparted by said cooking lever, and a lever connected to the associated carriage and pivotally attached to said arm, pivotally mounted supporting means including a roller for engaging the last-mentioned lever so as to maintain the associated carriage in a cocked position and the coil spring in a tensioned condition, said cooking lever being provided with an extension having a curved face which engages said roller, and tripping means engaging said supporting means and adapted to be'contacted by a part of another of the fusing units during movement thereof out of the fusing position for displacing said supporting means from its effective lever-engaging position so as to permit the associated coil spring to move the associated carriage to a position where the fuse cartridge carried thereby assumes the fusing position.

16. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units one of which is movable into the fusing position when another thereof moves out of such fusing position, each of said fusing units including a fuse cartridge and a plurality of upper contacts for the cartridges of the various fusing units, said upper contacts being mounted on a common element which is supported for movement.

17. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units one of which is movable into the fusing position when another thereof moves out of such fusing position, each of said fusing units including a fuse cartridge, and a plurality of upper contacts for the cartridges of the various fusing units, said upper contacts being mounted on a common element which is supported for pivotal movement.

18. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units one of which is movable into the fusing position when another thereof moves out of such fusing position, each of said fusing units including a fuse cartridge, and a plurality oi' upper contacts for the cartridges of the various fusing units, said upper contacts being mounted on a common element -which is supported for pivotal movement, and spring means for moving said common element in a direction to cause said upper contacts to assume the cartridge-engaging position.

19. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units one of which is movable into the fusing position when another thereof moves out of such fusing position, each of said fusing units including a fuse cartridge, and a plurality of upper contacts for the cartridges of the various fusing units, said upper contacts being mounted on a common element which is supported for pivotal movement, and torsional spring means for moving said common element in a direction to cause said upper contacts to assume the cartridge-engaging position.

20. A fuse switch comprising a plurality of fusing units one of which is movable into the fusing position when another thereof moves out of such fusing position, each of said fusing units including a fuse cartridge, and a plurality of upper contacts for the cartridges of the various fusing units, said upper contacts being mounted on a common element which is supported for pivotal movement, spring means for moving said common element in a direction to cause said upper contacts to assume the cartridge-engaging position, and stop means for limiting such movement of said common element.

OLAV FROLAND. 

